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 Alette™ Groutable Vinyl Tile
Installation Instructions
General
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On concrete subfloors ensure that moisture tests have been conducted and that the
results do not exceed 5.0 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. in 24 hours as per ASTM F-1869 and
85% In-Situ relative humidity when tested according to ASTM F-2170.
Conduct an adhesive bond test.
The permanent HVAC system must be turned on and set to a minimum of 65° F (18°
C) for a minimum of 48 hours prior to, during and after installation. Thereafter,
maintain a room temperature between 55oF (13oC) and 100° F (38oC).
Flooring material must be climatized to the installation area for a minimum of 48
hours prior to installation. The bulk shipping container should be broken down into a
series of piles, no more than 3 cartons high,
Before you begin the installation, inspect the flooring material for any obvious
defects. Ensure you have the correct color, pattern, quantity, and that all the material
is of the same production number. Beginning the installation means that you have
accepted the conditions.
Flooring shall be stored in a clean, dry environment, protected from the elements.
Storage temperature should be between 65° and 85°F.
Store cartons on a smooth, level surface. Stack cartons squarely. Do not stack more
than 10 cartons high. Do not store tiles on their edges. Do not drop cartons. Do not
double stack pallets. Storing tile at high temperatures and on uneven surfaces may
cause a permanent distortion of the material.
Subfloors
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Wood floors should be double construction with a minimum thickness of 1”. The
floor must be rigid, free from movement and have at least 18” of well-ventilated
air space below. Adore should not be installed over wooden subfloors built on
sleepers over, on grade, or below grade concrete floors unless specific design
has been undertaken to eliminate the chance of failure due to the excessive
moisture vapor emissions from the concrete.
Underlayment panels are used to correct deficiencies in the subfloor and to
provide a smooth, sound surface on which to adhere the resilient flooring. APA
underlayment grade plywood, minimum ¼” thickness, with fully sanded face is
the preferred panel. Underlayment panels such as Multiply, Tee-Ply and Ulay are
recommended. The underlayment must be free of any foreign material that may
cause staining, such as patching compounds, sealers, inks, solvents, etc.
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The underlayment should be installed with dispersion type staples placed every 4
to 6 inches in the field and every 2 to 3 inches along the seams. Sanding is a
preferred method for smoothing joints.
Particle board/chip board, tempered hardboard are not suitable to install Adore
floor coverings over. Luan board is not considered a suitable underlayment to
install Adore over. In some cases permanent staining has occurred from
chemicals used in the construction of Luan board. This is also true when using
pressure treated or fire retardant wood. Regardless of which underlayment is
used, failures in the performance of Adore due to the underlayment are not
covered by Adore’s warranty.
Preparation
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Undercut door frames to allow tile to slide under
Remove base shoe and moldings. Save to replace after installation.
Patch any subfloor irregularities with a cementious patching compound.
Installation
Tools needed:
1/16” x 1/32” x 1/16” notched trowel
100 pound steel roller
Hard edged rubber grouting float
Square edge dense sponge
3M white square edge nylon scrub pad
Tile spacers
Water buckets
Spray bottle
Tile Layout
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Use standard tile layout to balance the tile in the room. Avoid having tile joints
directly over subfloor and underlayment joints.
Divide the room into four equal sections by snapping two perpendicular chalk
lines which intersect at the center of the room.
Dry lay a row of tiles along the chalk lines to determine the size of the last border
tile. Remember to use the tile spacers to account for the grout lines. If the last tile
is less than 8”, shift the chalk line left or right to give a balanced layout.
Leave a 1/8” gap around the walls, cabinets. After completion install base shoe to
cover the gap.
Apply the Adore adhesive using a 1/32” x 1/16” x 1/32” to a quarter or half of the
room depending on the size and working time.
Allow adhesive to flash off for 15 – 30 minutes depending on the substrate
porosity, temperature and ambient humidity.
Install all tile into adhesive within 90 minutes.
Alette Floors | 5 Dubon Court, Farmingdale, NY 11735 | www.alettefloors.com •
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Choose the desired size grout spacers, from 1/16” to 3/16”. The actual grout
width will be slightly larger than the spacer size.
Position the first tile into the adhesive at the intersection of the two chalk lines.
Install tiles quarter turned to each other.
Install the tile along the chalk line using the tile spacers to maintain a consistent
joint spacing.
Clean any adhesive off the face and edge of the tile as you go.
Cut border tiles leaving a 1/8” space along the wall.
Within 1 hour, remove tile spacers and roll the tile slowly in both directions with a
100 pound three section steel roller.
Install remaining sections in the same manor.
Re-roll entire floor in both directions.
Grouting
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Grouting may be done the same day or the following day.
Use Alette premixed grout only. Traditional cement grouts will not work.
Re-roll entire floor just before grouting to ensure all tiles are well seated.
Start grouting at the far end and work towards the exit door.
Apply grout in small sections at a time, approximately 3 tile by 3 tiles
Using the end of a hard rubber float, fully pack the grout into the joint, holding the
float at right angles to the joint.
Immediately remove excess grout from the tile holding the float on a diagonal across
the joint.
Cleaning
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Using a spray bottle, apply a light mist of water over the grouted tile, let set 30
seconds.
Using the 3M white nylon pad, very gently, using a circular motion, clean the grout
haze from the tile.
Use a damp, firm, square edge sponge to remove the excess solution and grout.
Take caution not to dig the grout out of the joint.
Rinse the sponge in clean water. Change rinse water frequently.
Final Cleaning
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Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours
Remove remaining haze using a dilute solution of ¼ cup household ammonia to one
gallon of warm water.
Apply a mist of the solution in a small section at a time. Use a clean sponge or 3M
pad to loosen the haze.
Buff with a clean terry cloth towel.
Keep all foot traffic off the floor for 24 hours. Normal traffic and moving of
furniture may resume after 48 hours.
Alette Floors | 5 Dubon Court, Farmingdale, NY 11735 | www.alettefloors.com